This worldwide study examines how religion gets into theme parks – as mission, as an aspect of culture, as fable, and by chance. Gods and Rollercoasters analyses religion in theme parks, looking at how it relates to modernism, popular culture, right-wing politics, nationalism, and the rise of the global middle class. Crispin Paine argues that religion has discovered a major new means of expression through theme parks. From the reconstruction of Biblical Jerusalem at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, through the world of Chinese mythology at Haw Par Villa in Singapore, to the great temple/theme park Akshardham in New Delhi, this book shows how people are encountering and experiencing religion in the context of fun, thrills and leisure time. Drawing on examples from six of the seven continents, and exploring religious traditions including Christianity, Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, Gods and Rollercoasters provides a significant contribution to the study of religion, sociology, anthropology, and popular culture.

Introduction -- The height requirement -- Secure your shoulder harness -- Fuel for the motor -- Filling your empty seats -- Riding in the front seat -- Picking up speed -- Hands in the air -- Smile for the camera -- Epilogue -- Final word -- Acknowledgements -- Additional resources.

As one of the twelve Guardians, Urian has spent the last several centuries in a constant battle to keep the inhabitants of Earth's Realms under control. Humanity has to evolve, hell beasts need to die, and Immortals need mates. But lately, Uri's mind is overrun with thoughts of the sexy Demi-Goddess he's forbidden contact with. Alexandra and her brothers have managed to evade the Guardians for centuries. Sensing she was needed on Earth, Alexandra forces herself to stay away from the only male who has ever truly enticed her. Until her world turns upside down. For a hundred years she's watched Urian from the shadows, playing a wicked voyeuristic game to no end but to fuel her obsession with him. But now, she must seek out the enthralling Guardian to save her brother's life, even if it means her own exile. Either way, she won't go quietly. Warning: This book contains explicit and sizzling sex scenes with big dominant males.

John Cox is dead, killed in an explosion while at work. His younger sister Hayley can't believe he's gone. Determined to see the place of his death, she flies to Moscow with John's fiancée, Annie-but the site they're shown where John died. Suddenly it seems that there's more to his death than a tragic accident. Using a tracking system to locate John's mobile phone, Hayley and Annie find the real site of the explosion . . . but they are completely at the mercy of John's former Russian boss and his English speaking son, who have taken them there. Upon recovering the phone, it's clear that John is still alive. Meanwhile, in the Siberian forest, John is being nursed back from the brink of death by a village woman. As he slowly recovers he begins to piece together the truth: he's at the heart of a dangerous power struggle between two brothers who are desperate to silence him-for good.

Tammy suppressed the bitter memories of a tragic accident that changed her family's lives forever until she courageously began to write. Her debut novel will connect with those who have dealt with tragedy and she hopes will encourage them to never give up on their dreams of finding happiness.

Christian guidance for single parenting. Single moms face ups and downs, and this personal testimony offers advice on how to navigate the emotional roller coaster. After highlighting and defining nine specific negative emotions that often overwhelm single parents, Pam Kanaly explains how to transform these common characteristics into corresponding positive traits. Founded on love and biblical teaching, these words of wisdom and compassion will offer hope and consolation to struggling moms.

Greg Eilers was at the center of privilege: a respected minister in a conservative church, a middle-class male in a rural community, a family man with a wife and kids. But he harbored a deep secret--a lifetime of questioning his gender identity. In 2013, the questioning had morphed into crushing gender dysphoria, and Eilers found himself in a battle to save his life and sanity. He also found himself in a conundrum: gender identity issues don't fit with a traditional life and conservative values. How could a man who followed all the rules, and made the church his life's work, be transgender?In 2015, Eilers transitioned to female to resolve the internal struggle. The road to inner peace, though, was rife with sacrifices. Transitioning took him from the job he loved, put his relationships to the test, and cast him to the margins of society. Scorn replaced privilege. Then, 2018 brought a development just as confounding as 2013's struggle, and Eilers faced yet another transition.Through it all Eilers held firm to his faith, and found room in the Gospel for an outcast such as himself. He resolved to speak out--to share his story so others would know they're not alone, and to speak up--to educate the public about transgender and bring dignity to a highly misunderstood group of people.A Roller Coaster Through a Hurricane is a memoir, a unique transgender experience, and an inspiration to the Christian church to lovingly minister to transgender persons.

Instead of authentic personal success being something that seems elusive and outside of your reach, popular blogger, life coach, and Creator of The Fear Hurdler brand, author Jasamine Hill sheds a bright light on what it really takes to be young and successful in today's social media-obsessed culture. She starts with a pivotal turning point in her life that took her from extreme self-doubt, depression and almost giving up on her dream to a turning point moment that catapulted her Fear Hurdler blog to over 40,000 social media shares in one week, launching her into a totally new orbit as a successful blogger and life coach.Jasamine makes it clear that lasting success and true inner fulfillment is not magic nor happens overnight. It is result of a specific process that has many parallels to the metaphor of riding a roller coaster. If you are a Millennial with a head full of great ideas and big dreams, but you don't know how to CONVERT these ideas into a path to your dreams, then this book is for you. With clarity, humor, real-life examples, self-reflection exercises, suggestions, resources, and strategies, Jasamine covers ways to discover your passions, turn your fears into fuel, and make your dreams real. - From your first steps of preparation- To igniting your passion- Dealing with naysayers- Building your support crew- Developing a plan- Opening yourself to feedback and mentorship...and then on to launching and beyond, the steps of the process are laid out for you so that you can actually get on the ride and enjoy the ride of life instead of watching from below.

People have their limits. Some choose to ignore them. God’s power and love have no limits. So why do Christians put limits on their relationship with Him? We could be pursuing greater knowledge, experiencing deeper intimacy, and abiding in freer joy… and yet we routinely settle for mediocrity in our spiritual lives. But if you are ready to explode your self-imposed limits, Dr. Richard Blackaby can guide you through powerful and passionate insights revealed in this new book. By contrasting mediocrity with the spirituality of the great “heroes of the faith,” Dr. Blackaby shows you that you need not settle for less than God intends for you. God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people like you…but only when you allow Him to enlarge your spiritual capacity and overcome your self-imposed limits. “I hope this book inspires you to aim for a new level of walking with God. I want you to reach heights in your spiritual life that you never dreamed were possible, to experience God working through your life in a powerful new dimension, to hear words from God that will dramatically change your life and your world. I want to help you blow past any limitations you have set for yourself in your Christian life.” —Dr. Richard Blackaby

Many people would be surprised to learn that God’s view of them is much greater than their own. Ralph Harris, founder and President of LifeCourse Ministries, leads readers to experience a deeply satisfying, joyful relationship with Christ as they embrace what God thinks of them—that they are holy, righteous, blameless, and lovable. With easily communicated biblical knowledge and examples of God’s grace, Harris turns readers toward the love affair with God they were made for. Revealing and unique insights help readers: exchange fear and obligation for delight and devotion recognize the remarkable role and strength of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives view their status as a new creation as the new normal—and live accordingly! Readers will encounter wisdom, direction, and encouragement as they rest in God’s truth and mercy, develop a sincere partnership with Christ, and live as confident children of God.